Mind Control Seeks Another Grade 1 Win in Carter

Finding a multiple grade 1 winner who is racing at 5 when he could just as easily be a stallion is pretty rare these days.

Finding a multiple grade 1 winner who is racing at 5 when he could just as easily be a stallion and stands an excellent chance of winning another grade 1 brings you to trainer Gregg Sacco's barn and the stall of Mind Control .

The 5-year-old son of Stay Thirsty   will take aim at a third grade 1 win April 3 when he faces four foes in the $300,000 Carter Handicap (G1) at Aqueduct Racetrack.

"We gave him a little bit of time off, and he's been breezing great," said Sol Kumin of Madaket Stables, who co-owns the horse with the breeder, Red Oak Stable. "Gregg is excited about him. He says he's breezing as well as he's ever breezed. It seems like a pretty good spot. It's off a layoff so you never know what to expect, but, according to Gregg, he should run well."

Winner of the Hopeful Stakes (G1) at 2 and the H. Allen Jerkens Stakes (G1) at 3, Mind Control will be making his 19th career start in the seven-furlong Carter while searching for an eighth win and first since March 2020 when he capped a stretch of three straight graded stakes wins with a victory in the Tom Fool Handicap (G3).

He has earned $1,056,729.

In his last six starts, he has three thirds and three unplaced finishes but the son of the Lightnin N Thunder mare Feel That Fire is coming off a freshening after an improved third in the Dec. 19 Mr. Prospector Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park. He's returning to a track where he has enjoyed considerable success, winning four of five starts with one second, and could notch a victory that will help his connections far beyond the purse money up for grabs.

"I'd love to win one more grade 1 with him," Kumin said. "He's already a stallion now, but if he can win one more, it would enhance that. He's won a really good race at 2 and a really good race at 3, and if you can also win a race like the Carter, it will be huge."

Though there will be a field of only five, Mind Control and jockey Junior Alvarado could work out a good trip if the speedy Mischevious Alex  and Chateau  bang heads early on the front end.

Cash is King and LC Racing's Mischevious Alex shares the topweight of 123 pounds with Mind Control and looms as the favorite off a pair of wins in his two 2021 starts, capped by a win in the Feb. 13 six-furlong Gulfstream Park Sprint Stakes (G3).

"I feel pretty confident with him at six furlongs. He's won at seven furlongs, and he's won over that track (Aqueduct) already at a mile," trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said. "I like that he's won on the track, and I think seven furlongs is well within his reach."

The 4-year-old Into Mischief   colt out of the Speightstown   mare White Pants Night won last year's Gotham Stakes (G3) in his lone start at Aqueduct and boasts a career record of six wins from 11 starts with earnings of $449,730.

Michael Dubb's Chateau is coming off a front-running 3 1/2-length win in the six-furlong Tom Fool, his second straight win for trainer Rob Atras.

Entries: Carter H. (G1)

Aqueduct Racetrack, Saturday, April 03, 2021, Race 6

• Grade I
• 7f
• Dirt
• $300,000
• 4 yo's & up
• 3:25 PM (local)

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	1Mind Control (KY)	Junior Alvarado	123	Gregory D. Sacco	4/1
2	2Souper Stonehenge (FL)	Tyler Gaffalione	118	Mark E. Casse	12/1
3	3Shoplifted (KY)	Jose L. Ortiz	119	Steven M. Asmussen	5/1
4	4Mischevious Alex (KY)	Irad Ortiz, Jr.	123	Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.	6/5
5	5Chateau (KY)	Kendrick Carmouche	120	Rob Atras	8/5